Chase Young already looks like the difference maker the Saints hoped to get

The biggest move for the New Orleans Saints this offseason was signing Chase Young. However, even that move came with a bit of criticism. Many critics argued Young isn’t as productive as he was early in his career, and it didn’t help that he needed neck surgery shortly after signing with the team.

But, with Young just 25 years old, the Saints were willing to sign him to a one-year deal and bet on his upside. Just a couple of weeks into camp, it already looks like that gamble is paying off.

Young passed his physical coming into camp and the veteran defensive end has been suited up in pads taking reps with the team. He isn’t just healthy and on the field, he has been dominating.

Chase Young dominating early during Saints training camp

Young has been going through a ramp-up process but he has been standing out in all his reps, regardless of the amount. He has frequently been in the backfield wreaking havoc and chasing down quarterbacks. It’s safe to say he will only get better as he gets more time on the field.

This is exactly the kind of player the Saints hoped they were getting, and the kind the team needed. In 2023, New Orleans recorded just 34 team sacks, which was tied for fourth-least in the NFL. It takes far more than that to contend in the NFL.

New Orleans is hoping an edge group led by Young, Carl Granderson, and Cam Jordan can restore an elite pass rush for the team. Granderson, entering his fifth season, is coming the best year of his career, recording a team-high 8.5 sacks in 2023. Jordan, on the other hand, had just two sacks, but he was dealing with an ankle injury that limited his snaps and his production.

Now, Jordan, Young, and Granderson are all healthy, and so is Payton Turner. If they can remain healthy, and continue to perform how they have early in camp, they will be a lot for opposing offensive lines to handle. That bodes well for the overall success of the Saints.

READ MORE